This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Furry Fingers That Help

By Claudia Atticot

A Spoonful of Love: Hellion feeds owner Robert Foster.

For the past 20 years, Sue Strong has counted on her best friend Henrietta. When Strong drops something, Henrietta cheerfully scampers to pick it up. Strong is paralyzed. She cannot use her arms or legs. Henrietta is a capuchin monkey and a member of Helping Hands, a group that places monkeys in the homes of disabled people.

Capuchin monkeys make ideal helpers. They're small, live for 35 to 45 years, have hands much like human hands—and are lots of fun. "Animals with hands can be helpful," says Judi Zazula, Director of Helping Hands. "But being there to share your life with somebody when it's lonely is a special gift!"

Kristi gives Becky Thompson a hand.

Psychologist M. J. Willard came up with the idea for Helping Hands in 1979. Today, more than 70 disabled people throughout the U.S. enjoy the company of little helpers.

It costs $25,000 to breed, train and place just one monkey. Helping Hands places the monkeys in homes for free. Companies such as Wild Republic, which sells stuffed animal toys, donate the money for Helping Hands. All the monkeys are trained in Boston, Massachusetts. The skills they learn depend on the needs of the person they will be helping. Some monkeys learn to get food; others are capable of putting food in microwave ovens or CDs in players.

Kristi has been helping Becky Thompson for three years. Becky shines a laser pointer on objects that she wants Kristi to pick up. "She loves to do her tasks because she knows she will get a treat," says Thompson. Goldfish crackers are Kristi's favorite.

Henrietta is now 34 years old. She's lived with Strong for 20 years. "You'd think that after 20 years there wouldn't be any surprises left," says Strong, "but there always are!"

Next: TFK Q&A: Cal Ripkin